Phone: (208) 667-4544

Email Aaron Drake

Welcome to Lakes Middle School! It is an incredible honor to serve as your principal, and I couldn't be more excited to begin this new chapter with our outstanding students, staff, and families. After serving as Assistant Principal at Lakes for five years and 12 years as an assistant principal in our district, I feel incredibly fortunate to continue serving a school community that I know and love.

At Lakes, our mission is simple yet powerful: Ensuring high levels of success for ALL students. This mission guides every decision we make and serves as the foundation for our work each day.

As a Professional Learning Community (PLC), our staff is committed to improving teaching and learning by focusing on four essential questions:

1. What do students need to know and be able to do?

2. How will we know they have learned it?

3. How will we respond when they have not learned it?

4. How will we extend learning for students who have already mastered it?

These questions keep us focused on what matters most: making sure every student receives the support, challenge, and opportunities they need to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Middle school is a time of tremendous growth, discovery, and opportunity. Our goal is to create a school where every student feels safe, valued, connected, and encouraged to do their very best. We believe strong relationships, high expectations, and a commitment to excellence help prepare students not only for high school but for whatever path they choose next.

We also know that educating children is a partnership. Families play an essential role in the success of our students, and we encourage you to stay involved by communicating with your child's teachers, joining our PTSA, attending school events, and celebrating your student's accomplishments along the way. When schools and families work together, students benefit.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. It is a privilege to serve the Lakes community, and I look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and success. My door is always open, and I encourage you to reach out whenever I can be of assistance.

-Aaron Drake, Principal